Combined arch support and shank stiffener



' A. REED COMBINED ARCH SUPPORT AND SHANK STIFFENER Sept. 22, 1.925.

Filed Dec. 2s. 1924 Patented Sept. 22, 11925.

UNITED STATES 1,554,880 PATENT OFFICE.

ADAM REED, oF Yuma, WASETNGTON. COMBINED naar;y surrom: AND sHANx STIEFENEE.' f

Application filed December 26, 1924. Serial iNo. 758,158.

, Shank Stifeners, of which the following is a specification. 'f

My present invention pertains to arch and foot supports, and it contemplates the provision of a simple and inexpensive device for the purpose set forth through the medium of whichI the bones in the arch of the foot as well as the metatarsal head will be held in proper position and at the same time act as a stifener for the shank of the shoe to which it is secured. y

Other objects and advantageous characteristics will-be fully understood vfrom the following description andY claim when read in connect-ion with the drawingsl accompanying and forming part of this specification in Whichv Figure l is a view-of a shoe partly in side elevation and partly in section showing my novel improvement arranged therein.

Figure 2 is an inverted view of an inner sole with my novel improvements arranged therein.

Figure 3 is a top plan view .of the shank stiifener or arch support.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the wearsplate and strap thereof.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional. view of the plate.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the plate taken in the plane indicated by line 6-6 of Figure 4 and looking' in the direction of the arrows. l

Similar numerals of Ireference designate corresponding parts in all the views of the drawings. 1

In Figure l the numeral 1 indicates a shoe as a whole that is provided with the outer sole 2 and an inner sole 3. y

Adapted to be secured to the lower surface of the shank of the inner-sole 3 is a shank stiifener 4 that is anchored at its forward end to the inner sole Sby means of a female fastener 5 and the 'said stiifener 4 is pro- 'vided at its rear end with'a tongue 6 as illustrated. 4

r vided with the integral loop 7 It will be manifest that the member 4 is retained on one end in flexible manner to the inner sole 3 by means of the plate 8. This is accomplishedv by passing the tongue 6 through the loop 7 of plate 8 and the construction is of such a character that longitudinal movement of the member 4 is not precluded and at the same time wear of the inner sole at the point at which lthe tongue 6 would ordinarily bear'is overcome by the' plate 8. i

I'button on the inner surface of the inner sole 3 the pad ll that is provided with the male fastener l2 that takes into the female fastener 5 and. hence it will be, seen thatfastener 5 serves a'two-fold purpose of not only holding the forward end of member 4 in position but likewise the desired point. l

In assembling the device a lining is preferably placed over the inner sole and when properly arranged freedom of movement of the` foot as well las support of the arch, stiening of the shank and the raising of the metatarsal heads is accomplished.

The device is' a foot support and at the same time a shankl stifi'ener and when equipped with the devicelthe shoe will lose none of its attraction in appearance and yet will be comfortable to the wearer.

The invention is extremely inexpensive to produce and has no elements that could possibly become inoperative after a short period of use. l

pad 11 at the claim and desireq to secure by Letters-Patent is i In a combined arch support and `-shank l stiffener for shoes, the combination of a plate -having a fastening` aperture therein "and secured to the heel portion of the inner sole; lsaid plate having an integral buckle formed thereon that is raised above the body of the plate, a stilfener having an aperture in one end thereof and being slightly dea fasteneradapted to securethe stifener to the inner sole of the shoe` and a pad adapted to be removably secured on the last named fastener. j

In testimony whereofI have'hereunto set my hand.

ADAM REED.

90 Havingdescribed my invention, what I v 

